TGIF!! First Ever Dinosaur Tail Found Encased in Amber!!

Check this out!! According to a Current Biology report, a dinosaur tail has been found preserved in amber — feathers, soft tissue, bone, and all! It’s 99 million years old!

LOOK!!

Photo by R.C. McKellar, Royal Saskatchewan Museum

Yes! I said FEATHERS!! Scientists say it’s unlikely that the dinosaur was able to fly though!

Photo by Royal Saskatchewan Museum

This amber sample (nicknamed “Eva”) was discovered in a northern Myanmar mine by a research team led by paleontologist Lida Xing of the China University of Geosciences. Xing feels confident that a “complete dinosaur” can be found!

Faerie tail. This is definitely a feathers, but perhaps it is not connected with the flight. Maybe feathers were used to ward off insects (which turned out in amber too). Or feathers were needed for warmth. We need to ask him (dinosaur) about it, if paleontologists will find the remaining part thereof. Thank you, Pee-wee, it’s really cool and a good reason to think about the benefits of feathers and tails!